Homeowners Protest MHV Expansion

The footprint of Miami Valley Hospital has grown over the years, and now people who live in its shadow fear future development plans will step all over them.

DAYTON, Ohio — People who live on the land where Miami Valley Hospital wants to build another employee parking lot and rezone the area stood outside the hospital with signs protesting the move in hopes that they can get someone's attention.

Property owner Janet Michaelis said, "When I look at these old houses, I see possibility. They have good bones. They have good history."

Michaelis fears that the charm and feel of the neighborhood along Vine Street will plummet if the hospital is allowed to move forward with building a new employee parking lot and rezone the area for a purpose that neighbors said has not been disclosed.

"A lot of people describe it as feeling like there's an ax hanging over your head. It's hard to get people to come in and reinvest in the community because we don't know what their plans are and they won't tell us," Michaelis said.

Neighbors banded together on Monday in hopes that their signs of dissatisfaction with the hospital will speak for themselves.

Steven Padilla, who lives nearby, said, "I understand Miami Valley's a big company and corporation, but look out for the little people. You have people who have owned their homes for years."

The protesters hope the hospital will get the message, so they can find a solution that will work for everyone.